Sigma Tau Delta took the stage Tues., April 12, when UTM’s English Honors’ Society hosted a free live, dramatic reading of Tony Kushner’s 1993 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.

Five readers undertook specified selections from Part I: Millennium Approaches, the first component of the two-part drama, in the Humanities Auditorium as part of Allies Week here on campus.

Dr. Leslie LaChance articulated in her introduction to the reading that Kushner’s work is unique and significant in that it courses its action through several diverse, worldly themes well enough to make a significant impact on the American society out of which it was fashioned. LaChance said that Kushner fashions these diverse themes together with eloquent language to produce one of the most influential plays in recent play production.

One AIDS sufferer, a power broker and an agoraphobic valium addict comprise major characters within the play, posing as delegates of their individual obstructions, as displayed by Kushner as some of the foremost conflicts in present day society.

Relationships between these characters and others progress as supernatural elements and societal barriers continue to enter, interrupt and pose questioning in the brutal reality of their lives. The overall selected scenes portray several conflicted characters dealing with issues relevant to today’s society. Religion, homosexuality, discrimination, disease, life vs. death and the afterlife are few of the themes Kushner puts forth with the drama.

Students, faculty, and the UTM community experienced a scholarly performance by readers Phillip Gordon, Tonya Parham, Tammy Prater, Brian Stiles and Alison Caldwell.

“Hearing the dramatic reading of the play make me want to go out and either finish reading the play and/or watch the film version. Overall, the participants did a great job with the reading,” said senior Biology/Nursing major Sona Patel.

Sigma Tau Delta members expressed their enthusiasm for the play and reflected on the good audiaence turnout for the event.

“Sigma Tau Delta has been wanting to stage a dramatic reading and decided to do this live reading after hearing expression of enthusiasm in the play from other students. Angels in America is a positive reflection of national themes,” said Brian Stiles, a senior English major and Sigma Tau Delta member.

Expanding on Brian’s comment, Tonya Parham, a senior English/History major, Sigma Tau Delta member and another reader said, “The play expresses relevant issues with national themes.”

The society’s faculty sponsor Allison Caldwell said, “The reading is a good way to raise awareness about Sigma Tau Delta on this campus and an opportunity for the society to become active by giving something to the UTM community.

The presentation is also part of Allies week. Sigma Tau Delta wishes to produce more events like this one and become more active in the fall.